News and Media Releases

Saturday 25 January 2025

Fire damage closes Houseboat Sewer Pump Out System

WENTWORTH HOUSEBOAT EFFLUENT DISPOSAL SYSTEM CLOSED On the morning of 22 January 2025, a small fire occurred underneath the gangway structure at the Houseboat Effluent Disposal System in Adams Street, Wentworth. While the fire was contained by the local Rural Fire Brigade, the gangway and underneath pipework and services was damaged. Cause of the fire […]

Child Safe Standards – Wentworth Shire Libraries

Wentworth Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation, implementing the Child Safe Standards to keep children and young people safe. Council’s new main library has by design created a child safe physical and online environment offering a balance between visibility and children’s privacy, creative play and other activities. It’s been a great […]

Buronga Landfill Upgrade

The Buronga Landfill site is currently undergoing a large expansion project. The aim is to ensure that Wentworth Shire has adequate space and facilities going into the future. The current site will operate as normal during this time, although there may be some minor disruptions to service during certain works.

Saturday 18 January 2025

NSW TrainLink need your feedback on proposed changes to coach routes and timetables!

NSW TrainLink need your feedback on proposed changes to coach routes and timetables! Based on community feedback, NSW TrainLink is proposing improvements to routes and timetables to better connect you to where you need to go, when you need to go. With new days and times of service, new stops, new and improved routes, have […]

Saturday 11 January 2025

TAFE NSW Coomealla Courses for the first Semester of 2025

Please see below flyer for TAFE NSW Coomealla Campus, including courses on offer for the first Semester, 2025. Along with these course listings are hundreds of online and virtual courses available for those wishing to further their education at www.tafensw.edu.au.

PFAS Test Results for Wentworth Shire

What is PFAS? Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer products for their resistance to heat, stains, grease and water.  PFAS are termed “forever chemicals” due to their persistence and slow breakdown in the environment. Drinking Water Guidelines on PFAS The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines provide standards for […]

Media Release – Investing in safer water for Wentworth Shire

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water released the following media release on 17 December 2024. For further information, visit nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dcceew

Investing in safer water for Wentworth Shire
Locals and holidaymakers in Wentworth, Buronga, Gol Gol, and Dareton are one step closer to locking in safer and more secure water thanks to $472,000 in co-funding from the NSW Government and Wentworth Shire Council.

The investment will enable Council to identify the best options for upgrading critical infrastructure that delivers both drinking and non-drinking water to the four towns.

It’s a significant move towards boosting water quality, reliability, and drought resilience for the region’s 4,100 people and supporting the growth of outback tourism in an area where the Darling and Murray Rivers meet.

The new funding includes:

$161,250 from the NSW Government and $53,750 from Council to deliver an options study and concept design for upgrading Wentworth’s water treatment plant and raw water pump station
$192,750 from the NSW Government and $64,250 from Council to deliver an options study and concept design for upgrading Gol Gol’s water treatment plant and the raw water pump station supplying Dareton and Namatjira
Currently, Wentworth relies on a single pump station to deliver both drinking and non-drinking water to its 1,100 residents and a growing number of visitors.

But the ageing infrastructure, which was operating at its peak during the early 1990s, is now in need of a major upgrade to meet modern water treatment standards and demands, particularly during dry conditions.

Meanwhile, in nearby Gol Gol, the water treatment plant services about 3,000 people in the town and in neighbouring Buronga, Dareton and the indigenous community of Namatjira.

But parts of the plant are in dire need of replacement or repair, and the infrastructure has reached its capacity so will be unable to meet the towns’ water needs as they grow.

The raw water pump station delivering non-drinking water also requires an urgent upgrade.

The new funding will allow Council to launch detailed investigations across four schemes to find solutions and develop early planning works, including environmental reviews, geotechnical investigations, site surveys, and concept designs.

Options will aim to enhance water treatment process reliability, efficiency, and automation, reduce operating costs, and extend the life of major equipment.

The development work is due to be completed by June 2025.

The investment is the latest from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program which supports more than $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with over 260 projects in various stages of delivery.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“This is about safeguarding water for Wentworth, Buronga, Gol Gol, Dareton and Namatjira, and it’s vital we get the ball rolling on long-overdue infrastructure upgrades.

“This investment will help Council examine all the challenges for these five communities and find the best remedies to ensure water infrastructure is fit for the 21st century.

“We want to support the region into the future and as more and as more visitors come spend their holidays in Wentworth Shire. I’m delighted to see this work get going.”

Wentworth Shire Mayor Daniel Linklater said:

“We are pleased to partner with the NSW Government to secure the future water supplies.

“The upgrade of pump stations and water treatment plants is essential to ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable water to our residents and visitors.

“This much-needed infrastructure upgrade addresses our aging assets and represents a significant achievement in collaboration with the NSW Government, securing a sustainable future for our community.

“This funding is crucial for initiating preliminary assessments, which will enable us to develop and implement effective long-term solutions.”

Saturday 04 January 2025

Routes 950 & 951 – Saturday bus trial – Wentworth to Mildura CANCELLED

The Saturday bus trial from Wentworth to Mildura (Routes 950 and 951) has been cancelled by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) due to insufficient patronage numbers. The trial started on 17 December 2022 and will conclude on Saturday 14 December 2024. For any questions or further information, please contact TfNSW.

Opening: Wentworth Conference Room

Opening: Wentworth Conference Room

📅 When: Tuesday 10 December 2024, at 4:00pm
📍 Where: In the Wentworth Visitor Centre, 61 Darling Street

An invitation is extended to the community to attend the opening of the Wentworth Conference Room, located in the Wentworth Visitor Centre.
The Hon. Sussan Ley Member for Farrer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition will officiate the opening.
The facility was funded through the Federal Governments Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Community Opening: Pooncarie-Menindee Road Upgrade

🚧 Community Opening: Pooncarie-Menindee Road Upgrade 🚧
 
📅 When: Tuesday 10 December 2024, from 11:30am
📍 Where: Pooncarie Town Hall, Tarcoola Street
 
This $9.2 million project, jointly funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government under the Growing Local Economies Fund, delivers 87.5 kilometres of bitumen sealing, providing a safer, faster, and more reliable journey for motorists.
 
The event will feature The Hon. Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, and The Hon. Sussan Ley, Federal Government Leader of the Opposition.
 
The upgrade includes 61 kilometres sealed through the Central Darling Shire and 26.5 kilometres through Wentworth Shire.

New weekly bus service from 18 November – Broken Hill to Mildura

Travel from Broken Hill to Mildura and back every Monday. For more information, view the flyer below or visit: cdcbrokenhill.com.au